Hydrangea plant named ‘SCHROLLA25’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of  Hydrangea  plant named ‘SCHROLLA25’, characterized by its compact, upright and mounded plant habit; moderately vigorous growth habit and rapid growth rate; freely branching habit and strong and sturdy stems; dark green-colored leaves; mophead-type inflorescences with purplish pink-colored sterile flowers; when “blued”, that is, treated with aluminum sulfate, sterile flowers are strong blue in color; long flowering period; and good postproduction quality and longevity as a container plant or cut flower and good garden performance.

Botanical designation: Hydrangea macrophylla.

Cultivar denomination: ‘SCHROLLA25’.

CROSS-REFERENCED TO A RELATED APPLICATION & STATEMENT REGARDING PRIOR DISCLOSURES BY INVENTOR/APPLICANT & ASSIGNEE

This application claims priority to a European Community Plant Breeders' Rights application filed on Sep. 7, 2021, application number 2021/2226. There have been no offers for sale anywhere in the world prior to the effective filing date of this Application and no accessibility to one of ordinary skill in the art could have been derived from the printed Plant Breeder's Rights documents.

The Inventor/Applicant and Assignee, Schroll Management ApS of Odense, Denmark assert that no publications nor advertisements relating to sales, offers for sale or public distribution occurred more than one year prior to the effective filing date of this application. Any information about the claimed plant would have been obtained from a direct or indirect disclosure from the Inventor/Applicant and/or Assignee. Inventor/Applicant and Assignee claim a prior art exception under 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(1) for disclosure and/or sales prior to the filing date but less than one year prior to the effective filing date.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Hydrangea plant, botanically known as Hydrangea macrophylla and hereinafter referred to by the name ‘SCHROLLA25’.

The new Hydrangea plant is a product of a planned breeding program conducted by the Inventor in Aarslev, Denmark. The objective of the breeding program was to develop new compact Hydrangea plants with strong stems, early flowering response and attractive leaf and flower coloration.

The new Hydrangea plant originated from a cross-pollination during the spring of 2013 of a proprietary selection of Hydrangea macrophylla identified as code number 32-00, not patented, as the female, or seed, parent with Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Schrol1139-09-01a, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 28,907, as the male, or pollen, parent. The new Hydrangea plant was discovered and selected by the Inventor during the spring of 2015 as a flowering plant from within the progeny of the stated cross-pollination in a controlled greenhouse environment in Aarslev, Denmark.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar by softwood cuttings in Aarslev, Denmark since the spring of 2015 has shown that the unique features of this new Hydrangea plant are stable and reproduced true to type in successive generations of asexual reproduction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Plants of the new Hydrangea have not been observed under all possible combinations of environmental conditions and cultural practices. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environmental conditions such as temperature and light intensity without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique characteristics of ‘SCHROLLA25’. These characteristics in combination distinguish ‘SCHROLLA25’ as anew and distinct Hydrangea plant:

-   -   1. Compact, upright and mounded plant habit.     -   2. Moderately vigorous growth habit and rapid growth rate.     -   3. Freely branching habit and strong and sturdy stems.     -   4. Dark green-colored leaves.     -   5. Mophead-type inflorescences with purplish pink-colored         sterile flowers; when “blued”, that is, treated with aluminum         sulfate, sterile flowers are strong blue in color.     -   6. Long flowering period.     -   7. Good postproduction quality and longevity as a container         plant or cut flower and good garden performance.

Plants of the new Hydrangea differ primarily from plants of the female selection parent in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Hydrangea are more freely branching than         plants of the female parent selection.     -   2. Plants of the new Hydrangea force faster than plants of the         female parent selection.     -   3. When “blued”, plants of the new Hydrangea and the female         parent selection differ in sterile flower color as sterile         flowers of plants of the new Hydrangea are strong blue in color         whereas sterile flowers of plants of the female parent selection         are clear blue in color.     -   4. Plants of the new Hydrangea tolerate cold storage better than         plants of the female parent selection.

Plants of the new Hydrangea differ primarily from plants of the male parent, ‘Schrol1139-09-01a’, in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Hydrangea force faster than plants of         ‘Schrol1139-09-01a’.     -   2. Sepal flower colors of plants of the new Hydrangea, whether         “blued” or not, are more intense than the sepal flower colors of         plants of ‘Schrol1139-09-01a’.     -   3. Inflorescences of plants of the new Hydrangea have longer         postproduction longevity than inflorescences of plants of         ‘Schrol1139-09-01a’.     -   4. Plants of the new Hydrangea tolerate cold storage better than         plants of ‘Schrol1139-09-01a’.

Plants of the new Hydrangea can be compared to plants of Hydrangea macrophylla ‘H213901’, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 26,221. Plants of the new Hydrangea differ primarily from plants of ‘H213901’ in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Hydrangea are more compact than and not as         vigorous as plants of ‘H213901’.     -   2. Plants of the new Hydrangea have slightly smaller         inflorescences than plants of ‘H213901’.     -   3. Sepals of sterile flowers of the new Hydrangea are not as         undulate as sepals of sterile flowers of ‘H213901’.     -   4. Plants of the new Hydrangea and ‘H213901’ differ in sterile         flower color, whether “blued” or not, as sterile flowers of         plants of the new Hydrangea are lighter in color than sterile         flowers of plants of ‘H213901’.

Plants of the new Hydrangea can be compared to plants of Hydrangea macrophylla ‘H213906’, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 26,509. Plants of the new Hydrangea differ primarily from plants of ‘H213906’ in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Hydrangea are more vigorous than plants of         ‘H213906’.     -   2. Plants of the new Hydrangea force about two weeks faster than         plants of ‘H213906’.     -   3. Plants of the new Hydrangea and ‘H213901’ differ in sterile         flower color, whether “blued” or not, as sterile flowers of         plants of the new Hydrangea are brighter and lighter in color         than sterile flowers of plants of ‘H213901’.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying colored photographs illustrate the unique appearance of the new Hydrangea plant showing the colors as true as it is reasonably possible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type. Colors in the photographs may differ from the color values cited in the detailed botanical description which accurately describe the colors of the new Hydrangea plant.

The photograph on the first sheet (FIG. 1) comprises a side perspective view of a typical flowering plant of ‘SCHROLLA25’ grown in a container that has been “blued”.

The photograph on the second sheet (FIG. 2) is a close-up view of a typical inflorescence of ‘SCHROLLA25’ that has been “blued”.

The photograph on the third sheet (FIG. 3) is a close-up view of a typical inflorescence of ‘SCHROLLA25’ that has not been “blued”.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

Plants used in the aforementioned photographs and in the following description were grown during the summer in 13-cm containers in a glass-covered greenhouse in Aarslev, Denmark and under cultural practices typical of commercial Hydrangea production. Plants of the new Hydrangea were pinched two times and were one year old when the photographs and description were taken. During the production of the plants, day temperatures ranged from 15° C. to 25° C., night temperatures ranged from 15° C. to 20° C. and light levels ranged from 40 to 50 klux. In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, 2007 Edition, except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used.

-   Botanical description: Hydrangea macrophylla ‘SCHROLLA25’. -   Parentage:     -   -   Female, or seed, parent.—Proprietary selection of Hydrangea             macrophylla identified as code number 32-00, not patented.         -   Male, or pollen, parent.—Hydrangea macrophylla             ‘Schroll1139-09-01a’, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No.             28,907. -   Propagation:     -   -   Type cutting.—By softwood cuttings.         -   Time to initiate roots, summer.—About 14 to 15 days at             temperatures about 20° C.         -   Time to initiate roots, winter.—About 20 days at             temperatures about 20° C.         -   Time to produce a rooted young plant, summer.—About four             weeks at temperatures about 20° C. to 22° C.         -   Time to produce a rooted young plant, winter.—About five             weeks at temperatures about 18° C. to 20° C.         -   Root description.—Medium in thickness, fibrous; typically             close to N155D in color; actual color of the roots is             dependent on substrate composition, water quality,             fertilizer type and formulation, substrate temperature and             physiological age of roots.         -   Rooting habit.—Freely branching; medium density. -   Plant description:     -   -   Plant and growth habit.—Perennial sub shrub ; compact,             upright and mounded plant habit; broadly inverted triangle;             freely branching habit with about five to six lateral             branches developing per plant; strong lateral branches;             moderately vigorous growth habit and rapid growth rate.         -   Plant height.—About 25 cm to 30 cm.         -   Plant diameter or area of spread.—About 35 cm.         -   Lateral branches.—Length: About 25 cm to 27 cm. Diameter:             About 5 mm to 7 mm. Internode length: About 3 cm to 4.5 cm.             Strength: Strong, sturdy. Texture: Mostly smooth and             glabrous, however, just below inflorescence, slightly             pubescent. Color, developing: Close to N144C. Color,             developed: Close to 144A. Lenticels: Density: High. Length:             About 0.5 mm to 1 mm. Color: Close to N77A. -   Leaf description:     -   -   Arrangement.—Opposite, decussate; simple.         -   Length.—About 7 cm to 9 cm.         -   Width.—About 5.5 cm to 7 cm.         -   Shape.—Ovate.         -   Apex.—Acute.         -   Base.—Attenuate.         -   Margin.—Serrate.         -   Texture, upper surface.—Smooth to rugose, glabrous.         -   Texture, lower surface.—Rugose, glabrous.         -   Venation pattern.—Pinnate, reticulate.         -   Color.—Developing leaves, upper surface: Close to 139A.             Developing leaves, lower surface: Close to 139C. Fully             expanded leaves, upper surface: Close to N138A; venation,             close to 143D. Fully expanded leaves, lower surface: Close             to N137D; venation, close to 144D.         -   Petioles.—Length: About 1.5 cm to 2 cm. Diameter: About             4 mm. Strength: Strong. Texture, upper and lower surfaces:             Smooth, glabrous. Color, upper and lower surfaces: Close to             144D. -   Inflorescence & flower description:     -   -   Flower type and habit.—Showy single sterile and             inconspicuous single fertile flowers arranged on terminal             mophead-type panicles; panicles globular in overall shape;             sterile and fertile flowers face upright to outwardly             depending on their position on the inflorescence; early             flowering habit, plants begin flowering about ten to twelve             weeks after forcing period.         -   Natural flowering season.—Long flowering period, continuous             flowering during the mid to late summer in Northern Europe.         -   Flower longevity, sterile flowers.—Flowers last about four             months on the plant and about three weeks as a cut flower;             sterile flowers persistent.         -   Flower longevity, fertile flowers.—Flowers last about two             weeks on the plant; fertile flowers not persistent.         -   Quantity of flowers.—Freely flowering habit with about 60             sterile flowers and about 25 fertile flowers per panicle.         -   Fragrance.—None detected.         -   Panicle height.—About 10 cm.         -   Panicle diameter.—About 15 cm to 17 cm.         -   Flower diameter, sterile flowers.—About 4 cm to 5.5 cm.         -   Flower depth (height), sterile flowers.—About 1.5 cm.         -   Flower diameter, fertile flowers.—About 4 mm.         -   Flower depth (height), fertile flowers.—About 4 mm.         -   Flower shape, sterile flowers.—Triangular to rounded, sepals             facing upwardly.         -   Flower shape, fertile flowers.—Spherical.         -   Flower buds, sterile flowers.—Length: About 3 mm. Diameter:             About 3 mm. Shape: Spherical. Color: Close to 144D.         -   Flower buds, fertile flowers.—Length: About 3 mm. Diameter:             About 3 mm. Shape: Spherical. Color: Close to 145D.         -   Petals, sterile flowers.—Quantity and arrangement: Four, or             occasionally three, in a single whorl. Length: About 2 mm.             Width: About 1 mm. Shape: Ovate. Apex: Acute. Base: Obtuse.             Margin: Entire. Texture, upper and lower surfaces: Smooth,             glabrous. Color: When opening, upper and lower surfaces:             Close to 150D. Fully opened, upper surface: Close to 62B;             when “blued”, close to 95B; becoming closer to 199D with             subsequent development and when “blued”, close to 98C. Fully             opened, lower surface: Close to 62C; when “blued”, close to             95B; becoming closer to 199D with subsequent development and             when “blued”, close to 98C.         -   Petals, fertile flowers.—Quantity and arrangement: Typically             five in a single whorl. Length: About 3 mm. Width: About             2 mm. Shape: Oval. Apex: Acute. Base: Cuneate. Margin:             Entire. Texture, upper and lower surfaces: Smooth, glabrous.             Color: When opening and fully opened, upper surface: Close             to 62D; when “blued”, close to 101C; becoming closer to 165B             with subsequent development. When opening and fully opened,             lower surface: Close to 62D; when “blued”, close to 100C;             becoming closer to 165B to 165C with subsequent development.         -   Sepals, sterile flowers.—Quantity and arrangement: Four, or             occasionally three, in a single whorl. Length: About 2 cm to             2.5 cm. Width: About 2.5 cm. Shape: Cordate. Apex: Broadly             acute to obtuse. Base: Attenuate to cordate. Margin: Entire,             undulate. Texture, upper surface: Smooth to rugose,             glabrous. Texture, lower surface: Smooth to slightly ridged,             glabrous. Color: When opening, upper and lower surfaces:             Close to 150D. Fully opened, upper surface: Close to 63C;             when “blued”, close to 100B; with subsequent development,             color becoming closer to 70D and when “blued”, becoming             closer to 101C with venation, close to 94C. Fully opened,             lower surface: Close to 62B; when “blued”, close to 100C;             with subsequent development, color becoming closer to 69A             and when “blued”, becoming closer to 97B with venation,             close to 96C.         -   Sepals, fertile flowers.—Quantity and arrangement: Five in a             single whorl. Length: About 1 mm. Width: About 1 mm. Shape:             Deltoid. Apex: Acute. Base: Cuneate. Margin: Entire.             Texture, upper and lower surfaces: Slightly pubescent.             Color: When opening and fully opened, upper surface:             Proximally, close to 62D and distally, close to 145B; when             “blued”, proximally, close to 145D and distally, close to             145A. When opening and fully opened, lower surface:             Proximally, close to 62D and distally, close to 145B; when             “blued”, proximally, close to 145D and distally, close to             145A.         -   Pedicels, sterile flowers.—Length: About 2.5 cm to 3 cm.             Diameter: About 2 mm. Strength: Moderately strong. Aspect:             Upright to about 135° from vertical. Texture: Pubescent.             Color: Close to 62A.         -   Pedicels, fertile flowers.—Length: About 3 mm. Diameter:             About 1 mm. Strength: Moderately strong. Aspect: Upright to             about 90° from vertical. Texture: Pubescent. Color: Close to             64D; when “blued”, close to 98B.         -   Reproductive organs, sterile flowers.—Stamens: Quantity per             flower: About eight. Filament length: About 2 mm. Filament             color: Close to 150D. Anther length: About 1 mm. Anther             shape: Oval to reniform. Anther color: Close to 151D. Pollen             amount: None observed. Pistils: Pistil quantity per flower:             Two. Pistil length: About 2 mm. Stigma shape: Oval. Stigma             color: Close to 155A. Style length: About 1 mm. Style color:             Close to 155A. Ovary color: Close to 155D.         -   Reproductive organs, fertile flowers.—Stamens: Quantity per             flower: Ten. Filament length: About 1 mm. Filament color:             Close to 155D. Anther length: About 1 mm. Anther shape: Oval             to reniform. Anther color: Close to 145B. Pollen amount:             Scarce. Pollen color: Close to 158D. Pistils: Pistil             quantity per flower: Three. Pistil length: About 3 mm.             Stigma shape: Oval. Stigma color: Close to 155D. Style             length: About 1 mm. Style color: Close to 155D.         -   Seeds (present on fertile flowers only).—Quantity per             fertile flower: About 50. Length: About 0.5 mm. Diameter:             About 0.1 mm. Color: Close to 164D. -   Pathogen & pest resistance: To date, plants of the new Hydrangea     have been observed to to tolerant to aphids and spider mites. Plants     of the new Hydrangea have not been observed to be resistant to     pathogens and other pests common to Hydrangea plants. -   Garden performance: Plants of the new Hydrangea have been observed     to tolerate wind, rain, full sunlight conditions and temperatures     ranging from about 3° C. to 32° C. 

It is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct Hydrangea plant named ‘SCHROLLA25’ as illustrated and described. 